Beach Resort Guide
Lloret de Mar
Lloret de Mar Beach Resort Guide
Introduction
The biggest and most built-up resort on the Costa Brava, Lloret de Mar has been a favourite flop-and-fly destination for British holidaymakers since the 1960s. The resort sprawls some 4km (2.5 miles) around the bay and development behind is high rise and dense. The western side of the resort comprises mostly apartments and is quieter with an attractive beach.
Who goes there?
Lloret de Mar appeals to the 18-30 crowd, groups of teenagers, and young families looking for holidays in the lower price bracket. It is very popular with British visitors. Groups of older holidaymakers and pensioners visit out of season.
Where in the world?
Lloret de Mar lies on a large bay midway along the Costa Brava on Spain's northeast Mediterranean coast, 75km (46 miles) northeast of Barcelona, 39km (24 miles) south of Gerona, and 30km (18 miles) south of Gerona airport.
When to go?
Between May and October the daily average temperature never falls below 20ºC and rises above 30ºC in July-August. The ideal time to visit is May-June (average daily max temperature 21ºC to 25ºC) and September-October (average daily max temperature 25ºC to 21ºC). The crowds are also less overbearing at this time of the year. There is more rain on the Costa Brava than on other Spanish Costas with precipitation around 9 days each month throughout the year (albeit only short showers in summer). The winters are also cooler than in other Spanish holiday regions, with average daily max temperature November-April only 13 ºC to 17 ºC, and falling almost to freezing during the night.
Beach
Lloret de Mar offers a choice of five main beaches. The town beach is the biggest at 1.6km (1 mile) and offers all services and watersports. It is divided from the more attractive Platja de Fenals beach by a green headland. This too offers all services. Sa Boadella beach, 2.5km (1.5 miles) west of town is a lovely undeveloped cove. All these beaches are a mix of sand and shingle. Further west is the beautiful sandy beach of Santa Cristina, with most services but no watersports. East of Lloret de Mar are a number of small cove beaches. Canyelles beach, 3km (2 miles) east is a stretch of shingle with watersports. All beaches, with the exception of the town beach are backed by pines.
Beyond the beach
The biggest attraction is Water World (Carretera Vidreres) (www.waterworld.es). This is the largest water park on the Costa Brava with many white-knuckle rides and even features a bungee jump. Adjacent Karting Formula (Carretera Vidreres) is a go-kart track. In the centre of town, Skyrider (Calle Josep de Togores) is a giant catapult which shoots riders some 70m (230ft) into the air, producing over 4Gs of pressure. By contrast visitors seeking peace and quiet will enjoy the romantic Santa Clotilde Gardens (Paratge de Santa Clotilde) with their formal hedges and borders and statuary. Set in a natural amphitheatre some 50m (164ft) above sea level, they enjoy splendid views over the bay. The recently opened Museu del Mar (Maritime Museum) is worth a visit.
Family fun
Water World (See Beyond the Beach) is the best family day in the resort, with lots of rides and areas which are suitable for little ones. Marineland (see Exploring Further Afield) is another exciting day out with complimentary buses running from Lloret de Mar.
Retail therapy
There are no shortage of shops in Lloret de Mar (around 1,000 at the last count) but the vast majority are geared towards the cheap end of the holiday market and have little to differentiate themselves from any other Mediterranean resort outlet.
The Lloret de Mar indoor market is open from Monday to Saturday and there is an open-air street market every Tuesday.
The Lloret de Mar indoor market is open from Monday to Saturday and there is an open-air street market every Tuesday.
A night on the town
By night Lloret de Mar really swings into action with scores of music bars and nightclubs targeting an up-for-it 18-30 crowd. If in doubt follow the noise to ‘The Strip' (Avinguda Just Marlés). Older visitors prefer dinner shows featuring flamenco and international cabaret. There are two major venues: west of town is the Gran Palace Lloret (Carretera Blanes-Lloret); further afield at Tordera is La Masia (Carretera de Girona). Also at Tordera, the Castell Medieval Valltordera (www.castellmedieval.com) draws coachloads of families from Lloret de Mar and other resorts to watch jousting knights, flamenco dancing and cabaret acts in a corny medieval night out. All venues include dinner and coach travel from Lloret de Mar in the price of a night out. The Casino de Lloret (Calle dels Esports, 1) (www.casino-lloret.com) is the place to go if you're feeling lucky. It also stages shows during the summer season.
Eating out
There are hundreds of restaurants in Lloret de Mar, many offering the famous all-day British breakfasts and photo-menu meals. Fast food is ubiquitous and there is the full gamut of international cooking including Mexican, Dutch, German, Italian, Chinese and Indian food. Spanish restaurants and bars can be found but these are in the minority.
Getting around
The easiest way to get around the centre of town is on foot. For crossing the town however and going from beach to beach the ‘tourist train' (a small land tractor) might be useful. The Bus Cabrio (an open-roofed bus) also services the beaches and runs between Lloret de Mar and Tossa de Mar. A frequent water taxi service also connects Lloret de Mar with the other resorts along the coast. All three services are summer only.
Exploring further afield
The prettiest resort on the Costa Brava is Tossa de Mar, 8km (5 miles) west. Explore its Vila Vella (Old Town) and ramparts with its magnificent views. There are more wonderful sea views, and flora, to be enjoyed at the Mar i Murtra botanic gardens at Blanes, 8km (5 miles) east. Just inland from Blanes, Marineland (Carretera Malgrat a Palafolls) (www.marineland.es) is a large water park, marine zoo and dolphinarium.
Barcelona, famous for Las Ramblas, its Gothic Quarter and Cathedral and Gaudí's extraordinary architectural achievements lies 77km (47 miles) northeast. Less well known but well worth a visit is Gerona, 40km (24 miles) north. In character and architecture it is a mini-Barcelona, but without the crowds.
Barcelona, famous for Las Ramblas, its Gothic Quarter and Cathedral and Gaudí's extraordinary architectural achievements lies 77km (47 miles) northeast. Less well known but well worth a visit is Gerona, 40km (24 miles) north. In character and architecture it is a mini-Barcelona, but without the crowds.
Splashing out
Two of the best gourmet restaurants in town are the Hispano Suiza at the Casino de Lloret (Calle dels Esports, 1) and the main dining room at the five-star Hotel Santa Marta (Platja Santa Cristina) (www.hstamarta.com ). Or spoil yourself at the spa of the five-star Rigat Park & Spa Hotel (Avenida América 1, Playa de Fenals) (www.rigat.com).
Flying in
Barcelona Airport (BCN)
Girona Airport (GRO)
Girona Airport (GRO)
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